Caitlin Clark warned everyone about her competitive nature.
The Fever rookie, who’s been vocal about her cutthroat approach to the game, didn’t spare a young kid when she blocked his shot during a one-on-one matchup in Indiana on Tuesday.
But it was all in fun, as the boy was seen laughing with Clark after the fact — and another clip showed him gushing over the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The playful moment was captured by sports photographer Bri Lewerke during a community event in Indiana, where Clark and Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson joined Group 1001 and Habitat for Humanity to help build what will be a new home for the Krost Family in Boone County.
Clark played basketball with the kids at an outdoor park and posed for photos with the mascots for the Pacers and the Fever, as seen in snapshots on social media.
Clark was vocal about her competitive drive during her playing days at Iowa — where she became the NCAA’s Divison I all-time leading scorer for men’s and women’s basketball — and she’s carried that mentality over to the pro level.
The event came after the 22-year-old guard was not included on the 12-player Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was released by USA Basketball on Tuesday.
Clark, along with the Connecticut Sun’s Brionna Jones — the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year in 2022 — are on top of the alternates list, should Team USA need a replacement, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti explained in a statement that the decision came down to basketball criteria and forming the best to team to compete for an eighth straight gold medal for the Americans — and not the fame and attention Clark would bring to the games this summer.
Clark praised the 12-player roster while taking questions about it during practice Sunday, and said she is focused on the Fever and her rookie season.
Clark and the Fever (3-10) hope to bounce back against the Dream (5-5) in Indianapolis on Thursday.
